The Hebrew word tsaʻăqâh, represented by H6818, is a term for a shriek or cry(-ing). It appears 21 times across 20 unique verses in the Bible. Derived from the root H6817 tsâʻaq, it often describes an urgent outcry in response to affliction, injustice, or impending judgment.
In biblical narratives, H6818 is frequently used to describe a cry of distress that prompts divine intervention. This is seen when the Lord hears the cry of His people in Egypt due to their taskmasters Exodus 3:7 and later when their cry from Philistine oppression comes to Him 1 Samuel 9:16. The term also signifies a cry that accompanies judgment or destruction, such as the great cry against Sodom that came before the Lord Genesis 19:13 and the great cry in Egypt during the plague of the firstborn Exodus 12:30. Furthermore, it can represent the sound of societal decay, where the Lord looks for righteousness but instead finds a cry of oppression Isaiah 5:7.
Several related Hebrew words provide a broader context for different types of vocal outcry:
- H6817 tsâʻaq (to shriek; ... cry out): This is the root verb from which H6818 is derived, signifying the action of crying out. The Bible states that if the afflicted cry at all to the Lord, He will surely hear their cry Exodus 22:23.
- H3215 yᵉlâlâh (a howling): This word often appears alongside H6818 to describe sounds of great distress and judgment. It is used for the howling from the second quarter of the city in conjunction with the cry from the fish gate Zephaniah 1:10, and the howling of the flock's leaders is heard with the cry of the shepherds Jeremiah 25:36.
- H6963 qôwl (a voice or sound): A more general term for a voice or sound, this word can specify the noise of the crying 1 Samuel 4:14 or the voice of crying from a specific location Jeremiah 48:3. It also describes the voice of the Lord, which His people are called to obey 1 Samuel 15:22.
The theological weight of H6818 is significant, highlighting God's character and His relationship with humanity.
- Divine Attention to Suffering: The cry of the afflicted consistently captures God's attention. He hears Israel's cry and knows their sorrows Exodus 3:7, and He "heareth the cry of the afflicted" Job 34:28. The Psalms affirm that God does not forget the cry of the humble Psalms 9:12.
- Catalyst for Judgment and Salvation: The cry often acts as a trigger for God's action. Israel's cry leads God to send a savior to deliver them from the Philistines 1 Samuel 9:16. Conversely, the wicked cry of Sodom results in its destruction Genesis 19:13.
- A Measure of Social Justice: The presence of a cry can serve as a spiritual barometer for the state of a nation. When God looked for judgment and righteousness in Judah but instead found a cry, it signaled a failure of justice that demanded a response Isaiah 5:7.
In summary, H6818 is more than a simple sound of distress. It is a biblically significant term that marks a critical moment demanding a response. It defines the outcry of the oppressed that reaches God's ear Exodus 3:9, the sound of divine judgment upon wickedness Genesis 19:13, and the personal anguish of an individual like Esau Genesis 27:34. This word demonstrates that a cry in scripture is never neutral; it is an event that prompts deliverance, signals judgment, and reveals the heart of God towards the humble and afflicted.
TRV